Supplements warning: The vitamin supplement that may make cancer cells grow 'more easily'
MANY people take vitamin supplements to give their body an added boost. While it is possible to unlock health benefits this way, extra supplementation can pose serious health risks. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, overdoing a particular vitamin supplement may cause cancer cells to grow "more easily".
There are many reasons to take vitamin supplements. One of the primary reasons is to make up for a deficiency in your diet. However, overdoing particular supplements carries health risks, including an increased risk of cancer.
Folic acid is the man-made version of the vitamin folate (also known as vitamin B9). Folate helps the body make healthy red blood cells and is found in certain foods.
The finding is particularly surprising because "strong evidence that getting enough folic acid can help lower your chances of getting certain cancers", notes the University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UBA) Department of Nutrition Sciences.
The health body continues: "Folic acid plays a role in the growth and repair of cells. Some studies show that folic acid blocks cancer in its early stages."
However, "getting too much folic acid could have the opposite effect by causing cancer cells to grow more easily", it warns.
The UAB pointed to three studies that showed a small increased risk of cancer.
In the group that researchers supplemented with folic acid, 10.0 percent died of cancer while 8.4 percent of the people in the group that did not get folic acid died of cancer.
In the second study, the difference was 4.0 percent cancer deaths in the folic acid group compared to 2.9 percent in the group that did not get folic acid.
The risk is therefore tiny. It is also important to note that most adults and children can take folic acid, notes the NHS.
However, it's not suitable for everyone.
To make sure it's safe for you, the NHS says to tell your doctor before starting folic acid if you:
Have had an allergic reaction to folic acid or any other medicine in the past
Have low vitamin B12 levels (vitamin B12 defHOMEiciency anaemia) or pernicious anaemia
Have cancer (unless you also have folate deficiency anaemia)
Are having a type of kidney dialysis called haemodialysis
Have a stent in your heart.
Do I need to take vitamin supplements?
According to Bupa, you should be able to get most of the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy, balanced diet.
You also not take folic acid if you're low in B12 says the NHS
Folic acid: You also not take folic acid if you're low in B12 says the NHS (Image: Getty Images)
READ MORE
Supplements: The pill that ‘doubles’ risk of dying from cancer
For each day, this includes:
At least five portions of fruit and vegetables
Wholegrain starchy foods
Dairy foods
Meat, fish or alternatives such as beans and pulses.
In fact, following a healthy, balanced diet may reduce your risk of developing cancer.
It is estimated that healthier diets could prevent around one in 20 cancers. Cancer Research UK attributes this effect in part to helping you maintain a healthy weight.
"For most of us, diet has a big impact on our weight. Keeping a healthy weight is important because obesity is a cause of 13 different types of cancer," notes the charity.
RELATED ARTICLES
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms: 6 most common signs of a deficiency
'Start now': Take essential supplements over Christmas to reduce gas
Main symptoms and signs of
It is fiendishly difficult to draw conclusions "because our diets are made up of lots of different types of food and drink", says Cancer Research UK.
"But there is good evidence that having an overall healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer."
According to the charity, there are some foods that are directly linked to cancer, but our overall diet is more important than these individually.
It recommends a diet high in:
Fruit and vegetables
Whole grains (such as brown rice or whole grain bread)
Healthy sources of protein like fresh chicken, fish or pulses (such as lentils or beans).
RELATED ARTICLES
High blood pressure: The supplement to lower it
Vitamins and supplements: Best to boost health in winter
Vitamin D supplements: 3 symptoms which may mean you've taken too much
CancerSupplements
PEST CONTROL | SEARCH ADS|Sponsored
30 Heart Disease Warning Signs That You Shouldn't Ignore
ARTICLES MANSION|Sponsored
Throw Salt In With Your Plants - When You Read This, You'll Do So Too!
HEALTHY & PRETTY|Sponsored
Getting An Online Job In The USA Might Be Easier Than You Think
JOBS IN THE USA|Sponsored
Omicron symptoms: Seven early symptoms to spot and why they differ from the Delta variant
Express
Most read in Health
Latest videos
boris johnson plan c vote covid restrictions nhs leadership ont
Boris 'gambling with NHS to save his leadership' as tougher Plan C restrictions loom
princess anne most royal engagements 2021 ont
‘All class and grace’ Princess Anne attended more engagements in 2021 than any other royal
nhs covid jabs children safe omicron variant ont
NHS preparing to give Covid jabs to children as young as five in bid to stop Omicron
boris johnson slams bbc coverage christmas partygate ont
Boris slams BBC for ‘frivolous, vengeful, partisan’ coverage of Christmas partygate
priti patel running Conservative leader prime minister ont
Priti Patel considering a run to become PM as Boris could face vote of no confidence
vitamins best live longer longevity supplements diet ifl
How to live longer: Add these foods and vitamins to your diet to boost longevity
high cholesterol exercises brisk walk swimming
High cholesterol: The best 'cholesterol busting' exercises to lower your levels
cold flu remedies lozenges soothe sore throat symptoms
Best remedy for cold and flu: The minty substance that can soothe symptoms
ore oduba health mental health dancing fitness
TV presenter Ore Oduba's top tips to overcome 'down' moments - exclusive interview
How to live longer berries longevity
How to live longer: New study reveals the best food to improve cognition and longevity
dementia symptoms difficulty carrying out complex tasks with multiple steps alzheimers
Dementia symptoms: The 'early' warning sign that can show up during Christmas dinner
high cholesterol banana whole grains cheaper options
High cholesterol: 'Cost effective' options to lower levels - ‘keep you fuller for longer'
gout diet fruit juice reduce symptoms evg
Gout diet: The £1.30 fruit juice to help avoid painful symptoms
Acid reflux relief natural method heartburn symptoms evg
Acid reflux relief: Five methods to ease uncomfortable symptoms without medication
high cholesterol reduce ldl okra weeks
High cholesterol: The 16p vegetable that may lower ‘bad’ cholesterol by 30% in just weeks
fatty liver disease symptoms poo urine memory
Fatty liver disease symptoms: Three easily missed signs – ‘see urgent medical attention’
GAMING
MUSIC
BOOKS
THEATRE
EXPRESS WINS
LIFE & STYLE
GARDEN
STYLE
TECH
LIFE
PROPERTY
HEALTH
FOOD
DIETS
CARS
todays-paper
TODAY'S PAPER
Sunday, 12th December 2021
See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive.
CONNECT WITH US
Find us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterSubscribe to our rss feedCheck our YouTube channel
Play Express WinsAppsHoroscopesPuzzlesShopDiscount codesHopsmore Beer ClubOK! Beauty Box SubscriptionPaperSitemapSite ArchiveAbout UsJournalistsHow to ComplainReport A Tech IssueAdvertisingAffiliate advertisingCookie PolicyCookies SettingsTerms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicySyndication and LicensingClarifications and CorrectionsDeveloped by Netro42
IPSO RegulatedCopyright ©2021 Express Newspapers. "Daily Express" is a registered trademark. All rights reserved.
BREAKING NEWSClose×
Max Verstappen crowned world champion - Lewis Hamilton and Me
In fact, following a healthy, balanced diet may reduce your risk of developing cancer.
It is estimated that healthier diets could prevent around one in 20 cancers. Cancer Research UK attributes this effect in part to helping you maintain a healthy weight.
"For most of us, diet has a big impact on our weight. Keeping a healthy weight is important because obesity is a cause of 13 different types of cancer," notes the charity.
"But there is good evidence that having an overall healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer."
According to the charity, there are some foods that are directly linked to cancer, but our overall diet is more important than these individually.
It recommends a diet high in:
Fruit and vegetables
Whole grains (such as brown rice or whole grain bread)
Healthy sources of protein like fresh chicken, fish or pulses (such as lentils or beans).
تعليقات
إرسال تعليق